Farmall .H, 6 volt starter

stevecl · Nov 3, 2010

Why does a Farmall H with new 6 volt battery hardly turn over? What is wrong & how do you correct this problem?

Faster346 · Nov 3, 2010

How old are your cables? How are your grounds? If your cables are old they might need replacing. Even if they appear OK they are probably old and brittle inside. Also be sure to be using 0 Gauge, or 1 Gauge power and ground wires. Also be sure your grounds are shiny and clean. My M used to turn over real slow until I pulled the cables and cleaned all the connection points. Now it wings over about as fast as my 12v M does.

53 super H · Nov 3, 2010

Just went through this problem with a super H.
I had new 00 cables made starter rebuilt and the starter shop finally gave me a loaner starter and it works fine. I will be taking my starter back to them and keeping the one they loaned me after a fee to trade it in.

gene bender · Nov 3, 2010

If you use new 1ga cables and have a good push button sw it willo turn over and start great. Just where did you place the ground strap=cable. Its possible they didnt do a good job on the starter.

holmesw · Nov 4, 2010

Cranking speed for me has always led to the cables. On my Super H I use 1 guage cables, and they seem to work great.

CJ_1080 · Nov 4, 2010

Some 2/0 gauge cables from your local farm and fleet will do! Never skimp on cables. You will get exponentially more current through a 2/0 gauge than a 4 or 2 gauge wire. Ground it to the bolt that holds the starter on! Path of least resistance and such! Good luck!

NDS · Nov 4, 2010

There are 2 remedies to your problem get extra large cables, keep all connections absolutely clean, make sure battery is fully charged and pray OR go to 12 volt.

Farmallhal · Nov 4, 2010

Steve, your solution has been identified by various responses already. I recently went through the same thing on my 1952 H which just wouldn't turn over with enough zip to start the tractor. It has the M&W doomed pistons so there is somewhat of a compression increase. I went through the entire starting system and it is like a new tractor now. I replaced all the cables with size 00 and soldered terminals. I put on a new starter buttom (don't know if that was needed or not). I grounded the battery to one of the mounting bolts for the starter. I used external tooth washers between all the connections with the cables and what they attached too. One of the problems I believe I was dealing with was the fact is was disassembled completely during it's restoration and parts were painted individually and then painted again following assembly. The paint was most likely inhibiting current flow through all the various parts. You just need proper size cables, clean and tight connections and a good ground on the starter. Good luck and there will be light at the end of this, Hal.

riverbend · Nov 5, 2010

I had a similar problem with my H and already had 0 gauge battery cables. The problem was that the springs for the starter brushes were weak. The undrlying problem was that the internal ground connection for the brushes was a little loose and overheated the springs.

You don"t have to take the starter apart to check the springs. Take the band off the back and pull on each brush (there are 4 of them) with a light spring scale. The tension should be 24-28 ounces.

Greg

mkirsch · Nov 5, 2010

(quoted from post at 17:26:01 11/04/10) There are 2 remedies to your problem get extra large cables, keep all connections absolutely clean, make sure battery is fully charged and pray OR go to 12 volt.

Prayer and 12 Volt conversion not necessary. The rest is proper maintenance, which is at most an annual affair.

NDS · Nov 5, 2010

I beg to differ. 6 volts systems are only slightly better than hand crank for starting. If a had a dollar for every time I have gone out to start 6 volt tractor in morning and only got a grunt I could buy my wife something very nice for Christmas. On the other hand my 12 volt A has not been started in 3 or 4 months cables have not been cleaned in years and I will bet I can go out this morning in 30 degree weather and it will start right up. IH even found reason to convert 140s to 12 volts before end of production. Today you will not find 6 volt system in anything even a lawn mower.

Faster346 · Nov 5, 2010

(quoted from post at 06:50:03 11/05/10) I beg to differ. 6 volts systems are only slightly better than hand crank for starting. If a had a dollar for every time I have gone out to start 6 volt tractor in morning and only got a grunt I could buy my wife something very nice for Christmas. On the other hand my 12 volt A has not been started in 3 or 4 months cables have not been cleaned in years and I will bet I can go out this morning in 30 degree weather and it will start right up. IH even found reason to convert 140s to 12 volts before end of production. Today you will not find 6 volt system in anything even a lawn mower.

Today you won't go out and buy a new Camaro for 3,500 dollars either. Times change and things improve. 6v systems can still be used just fine though, I use mine here in Michigan where it gets sub 0 temps during the winters with no issues. Don't know what you're doing wrong. My 6v H spins over about as quick as my 12v M, and neither has failed me since the batteries were both new (about 2 years ago)

mkirsch · Nov 5, 2010

Suit yourself on converting to 12V. It's your tractor.

Just make sure you have the FACTS, and not just the random musings of someone with a bug up their butt.

6V systems can be made to work with good equipment and proper maintenance.

12V works too, it just masks poor equipment and lack of maintenance.

IH made the 140 and Cub 12V in the late 1960's because that's what every other piece of farm equipment they made at the time had. It was a matter of standardizing on components to make production more cost effective.

There are plenty of problems with 12V systems, too. I know every 3-4 months, one of our 12V tractors will refuse to turn over for one reason or another... Corroded battery cables, bad battery, bad starter... It's a never-ending struggle to stay ahead of the problems, let alone keep everything maintained.

Owen Aaland · Nov 5, 2010

The change from 6 volts to 12 volts wasn't made because their were problems with the 6 volt system as much as it was cheaper to build 12 volt systems. As electrical demand increased with newer vehicles continuing to use 6 volt systems would have meant much larger charging systems. Double the voltage and you can get the same amount of electrical energy with half the amps. The savings in copper alone was substantial for manufacturers. Save a nickel on an item and if you make 100,000 copies you just saved 5 grand.

Farmall .H, 6 volt starter

stevecl

New User

Faster346

Member

53 super H

Member

gene bender

Well-known Member

holmesw

Member

CJ_1080

Member

NDS

Member

Farmallhal

Well-known Member

riverbend

Well-known Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

NDS

Member

Faster346

Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

Owen Aaland

Well-known Member

Similar threads